2011 Gaming build (trying not to exceed $900)

tangomango · Sep 1, 2011

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next month.

Budget Range: Trying not to exceed $900 after rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: GAAAAAAAAAAMING! BF3, arkham city, d3, borderlands 2, etc

Parts Not Required: Mouse, keyboard, headset, monitor.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg or amazon is fine!

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: No pref. really

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050

Additional Comments: Nothing really, just looking for insight on my picked parts!

CPU: Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 -$179.99
HSF: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 $27.99
Mobo: ASUS P8H61-M - $84.99 ($79.99 after $5 instant rebate)
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB $44.99
Case: Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower - $105.99 ($99.99 after $6.00 rebate)
PSU: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX $119.99 ($79.99 after $25 + $15 rebates)
GPu: EVGA GeForce GTX 570 HD (Fermi)

Price of this setup is ~$832

I'm not sure if I picked the right mobo...

I was thinking of picking this RAM instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

I was also thinking about this case, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 but I have this case at the moment and I hate it. I feel like there's not enough air flow...so I'm just biased against it :[

Advice/help/insight greatly appreciated!

ScrewySqrl · Sep 1, 2011

the H61 has no overclock ability, making a 2500K pointless.

get a Z68 or P67 mobo instead

Zero_ · Sep 1, 2011

Check my sig. The $1000 build has a GTX570 and Z68 mobo (includes OS).

Also, if you won't be OC'ing, drop down to a i5 2500 (without K) and skip the cooler.

tangomango · Sep 1, 2011

Zero_ :

I cant find the 2500 on microcenter but it's on newegg for $209, whereas the 2500K is @ microcenter for 180.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127552

I found that but the reviews leave me suspicious...

michxymi · Sep 1, 2011

Maybe it's a good idea to add a Full HD monitor to your budget. You don't want to have a high end graphics card and play @1680x1050

aznshinobi · Sep 1, 2011

Check out my $850 build. A few parts would be bit of an improvement.
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore

1680x1050 is defiantly a "gaming" end monitor. You'd need a bit of graphical power to even run BC2 at max, my 5850 struggles. Though that is MAX, BF3 would still require a bit of graphical power especially since the pre-alpha showed the 5850/6850 was exactly able to keep up at max on 1680x1050.

michxymi · Sep 1, 2011

aznshinobi :

Gaming monitor is something with 1920x1080 Full HD resolution. Nothing else.

aznshinobi · Sep 1, 2011

^ Can you give me some sites where it says that is the only gaming resolution?

008Rohit · Sep 1, 2011

Processor: Intel Core i5 2500k $219.99
HSF: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+ $27.99
Mobo: Asrock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX $129.99
RAM: Gskill RipjawsX 2x4GB 1.5V CAS9 1600Mhz $54.99
GPU: EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1567-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 - $219.99
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 7200rpm $59.99
DVD: LG DVD R/W $18.99
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $44.99
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W $99.99

Total : $880 after rebates

tangomango · Sep 1, 2011

008Rohit :

Looks pretty damn good.

It would actually be less than $880 cause I don't need the DVD or HDD components, so that would be ~-$80. Also, I can pick-up the processor from Microcenter for $180, so that would be another -$40 coming to ~$760, which is damn excellent!

How does that graphics card compare to the GTX570? http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html is that reliable at all?

Before you posted, I had picked out this mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502 . How does that compare to the one you recommend?

aznshinobi · Sep 1, 2011

-____- Same build as my siggy build. SMH.
Just pick up the products where you get them cheapest, reputable ones at least.
Can't go wrong with the D3H, the Gen3 is also good.

computernugget · Sep 1, 2011

pancho are you op? lol

drew_nikel · Sep 1, 2011

michxymi :

correction:
Gaming monitor is something with [strike]1920x1080 Full HD resolution[/strike] 120 hz . Nothing less.

do you live in a small pad? or big house? If small pad I suggest you using a cheaper USB WIFI adapter.

computernugget · Sep 1, 2011

the antec 300 is a rather small case, im using one right now and its really cramped. the 9800gt im using has like 1/4 inch of clearance from the hard drives. i mean yeah its sturdy and what not, but i dont like it. but thats just me.

aznshinobi · Sep 1, 2011

2500K $180
Asrock Extreme3 Z68 Gen3 $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271
Corsair Vengeance 8GB DDR3 1600 $53
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186
MSI 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC $245 (MIR Avail)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565&Tpk=560%20Ti%20OC
HAF 912 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=HAf%20912
OCZ 750w ZS $100 (MIR Avail)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
Samsung F3 1TB $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=f3%201tb
Total: $813 before rebates

ScrewySqrl · Sep 1, 2011

can I suggest the Challenger U3?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060

a USB3 front Panel is a nice addition to a solid case

aznshinobi · Sep 1, 2011

^ Bit small? Not for 560 Ti's though.
Also an option.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240&Tpk=cooler%20master%20enforcer

tangomango · Sep 1, 2011

Posting again to ask about how the GTX560Ti fares against the GTX570Ti.

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

is that site reliable at all? Some scores just seem a bit 'off...'

aznshinobi · Sep 1, 2011

That sites about right
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/330?vs=306
The 560 Ti I posted (MSI TFII OC) is pretty much at the 570's performance though.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/01/27/msi-geforce-gtx-560-ti-1gb-review/6
Much lower on thermals and quieter too.

tangomango · Sep 2, 2011

aznshinobi :

wow yeah, you're totally right! I'm really considering the 560 now...

also, how exactly do you know that a case will be big enough? I was recommended this one, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196 , $70 after rebates.

aznshinobi · Sep 2, 2011

^ That case is great, me and Screwy were just suggesting USB3 cases, the Scout is superb case. Have one myself.

tangomango · Sep 2, 2011

aznshinobi :

hate to batter you with so many noob questions, hope you don't mind =P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565&Tpk=560%20Ti%20OC

Why the heavy price difference?

aznshinobi · Sep 2, 2011

One is a GTX 560 NO TI (the evga 1)
One is the GTX 560 Ti (The MSI 1)
Also, the MSI one has a better heatsink.

tangomango · Sep 2, 2011

aznshinobi :

haha, yeah i totally saw that just before i read your post! =P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128502

any reason to take this mobo over the one you recommended? what should i be looking for when picking mobos?

tangomango · Sep 2, 2011

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=14093631

after rebates, it comes out to ~$734

2011 Gaming build (trying not to exceed $900)

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